Two thieves, one allegedly armed, broke into Obafemi Awolowo Hall at the University of Ibadan in the early hours of Saturday, stealing mobile phones and accessories from students.
Local sources reported that the intruders entered between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., focusing on at least two rooms on the ground floor of C Block, an area designated for returning students. Before breaking in, the robbers disabled security measures by removing light bulbs from the corridor and bathroom, ensuring darkness before forcing their way inside.
A student resident, who asked not to be named, described the chaotic scene: “They didn’t get to my block, but I heard people saying one of them had a gun. What I know for sure is that they stole phones and accessories from some students. The school management and members of Abefele [the university security team] came here earlier. Our security men are not exactly agile, so it’s easy to imagine how the thieves got in.”
Another student recounted how the thieves were spotted: “They were two men. They entered through the gate facing Awo Mount Zion. I don’t know how they left, but an Awoite screamed when she saw them, and that’s how people woke up and came out. I heard they stole six phones.”
In a statement released by hall management, officials confirmed the robbery, stating: “At about 4 am, two thieves broke into the hall and robbed some residents of Block C. The thieves were reportedly armed and mostly stole mobile phones. There was no record of physical assault on any of the victims.”
The statement also noted that investigations were ongoing in collaboration with Abefele security personnel and the police. However, some students pointed out that while the robbers did not appear visibly armed, they issued threats, warning female residents that they would be hit if they refused to cooperate.
Confirming the incident, Joke Akinpelu, the university’s Public Relations Officer, said, “I called the warden, and the warden said it really happened. It was a single person who had two of the ropes and had their phones, and one of the phones was being tracked.”
She added that discussions were ongoing with police authorities regarding the investigation.
